The display device of the invention includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and switching elements each being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixels; row driving circuits to for each selecting a row in the plurality of pixels by supplying a selection signal to the switching elements; column driving circuits for each supplying a data signal to pixels connected to the switching elements selected with the selection signal; and a black display signal generation circuit for generating a black display signal for causing the plurality of pixels to perform a black display. The data signal and the black display signal are supplied to each of the plurality of pixels during a period corresponding to one vertical scanning period. The display device further includes a black ratio control signal generation circuit for generating a black ratio control signal defining a ratio between a first period of retaining the data signal and a second period of retaining the black display signal.